Tip: Keep it Low in Doubles

Hitting the ball hard feels good, but knocking the cover off it isn’t always the best way to win points, especially in doubles. Screaming drives aren’t that difficult for good players to volley, particularly if they’re well above the net. I tell my players that in doubles, balls hit low, no matter how slowly they’re moving, are preferable to balls hit hard and high. Why? Low balls make the net more of a factor. The net becomes the first obstacle that your opponents have to deal with before they can begin to worry about you and your partner. In effect, the net becomes the primary opponent. And because it’s difficult to do anything offensive with a soft, low ball, it limits your opponents’ options. The best reply most players can hope for is a well-placed volley.